25 Ways to Enjoy Soy Foods

Chinese historical documents suggest that soybeans have been grown and consumed for many thousands of years. In the United States, the introduction of the soybean is documented in Georgia, where Samuel Bowen first planted soybeans on his plantation in the 1760s, and patented processes to make soy sauce and vermicelli (soy noodles). Recent innovations in soy food processing have created an array of soy-based foods for infants, children and adults. In the fall of 1999, the Food and Drug Administration authorized a health claim that links the consumption of soy protein with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. In the United States, soy drinks and tofus, as well as refrigerated soy foods, can be found in most supermarkets.